Traffic Court Judge Reprimanded for Biker Rally Plea for Cash

A Philadelphia traffic court judge is getting a reprimand and judicial probation for his plea for campaign cash at a biker rally.

The Philadelphia Court of Judicial Discipline imposed the punishment Tuesday on Judge Willie Singletary, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports. The court found Singletary had improperly suggested that those who donated would get favorable treatment. But President Judge John Musmanno noted Singletary did not have any legal training and was not yet on the bench when he made the remarks.

Singletary passed the hat during a “blessing of the bikes” that was posted on YouTube. “Now, you all want me to get there [Traffic Court], you’re all going to need my hook-up, right?” Singletary said.

Singletary was elected last year despite racking up more than $11,000 in unpaid fines for 55 traffic tickets.